Things to do in Annecy

Posted on: April 21st, 2016 by Abbie

The striking color of the lake, the smell of fresh food from the vibrant street markets, the feeling of strolling around a historical castle with the mountains all around you, Annecy is a town that will undoubtedly leave you in awe. Only 35km (21 miles) from Geneva, it is rich in history, culture and beauty. Our Three Lake Cycling Tour starts in Geneva and ends in the lovely Annecy, a wonderful place for a few extra nights of travelling joy. There is truly no way to “go wrong” with a visit to Annecy, but here are some ideas to get your eyes, heart, and taste buds excited!

Bike the lake! – Annecy has a wonderful traffic-free bikeway that gives you a healthy way to enjoy the lake (photo provided by the Office du Tourisme d’Annecy). There are a number of pretty towns you can visit around the lake, including Talloires, which has plenty of its own activities to offer.

Visit a beach – There are a number of great beaches around Lake Annecy. If you are on the northern tip of the lake (near the city), Plage des Marquisats, Plage de l’Imperial, and Plage d’Albigny are all great for relaxing and enjoying the warm water (around 75°F).

Paraglide – For the more adventurous, paragliding can be the most awe-inspiring way to see Lake Annecy and its surrounding beauty. The area has ideal air conditions and environment for air sports and there are plenty of companies that offer paragliding with packages for first-timers. One company, Aeroslide, provides information in English and prices online. Other companies include Annecy Aventure, Takamaka Annecy, and Adrénaline.

Kayak Lake Annecy – As Lake Annecy is known for its active culture, there are also a lot of companies that you can go through for a fantastic experience on the water by kayak or canoe. Most offer rentals for around 9 euros an hour or 30 euros for an entire day. Your options include Annecy Aventure, Takamaka Annecy, and Canoe Kayak Club d’Annecy .

Shop the markets and walk around Old Town – There are a number of wonderful markets in Annecy throughout the year. One of the most notable is the Sunday Market in Old Town, open from 7 am – 1pm.

See Annecy by boat or vintage car – Give yourself a rest and enjoy the wind in your hair! Annecy offers unique experiences, including car rides in a vintage 2CV Citroen or a lake Safari. Les Deuches du Lac offers tours you can tailor to your liking, including a stop at l’Abbaye de talloires, a one of a kind restaurant. Or, spend your time on the water with experiences offered by companies such as Water Taxi.

Château d’Annecy – This beautiful castle hosts a Regional Art Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Regional Observatory. It is 5.20 € per adult and open from 10:30am – 6pm June through September; for the rest of the year, it is open from 10am-12pm and 2pm – 5pm (except Tuesdays). (Make sure you see the Tour de la Reine (Tower of the Queen). The oldest part of Château d’Annecy, this 30m tower dates back to the 12th century!)

Visit the European Gardens (Jardins de l’Europe) and the Bridge of Love (Pont des Amours) – The European Gardens are an ideal way to spend an afternoon near the lake. The gardens will connect you to the must-see Pont des Amours and an island (Île des Cygnes) built for the lake’s first swans.

Carillon de la Basilique de la Visitation – With stained glass mosaics and a carillon of 38 bells, the 19th century church is really worth a visit. Its visiting hours include Saturdays at 4pm June 16 – August 11 and September 1 – 15. It is also open September 15 from 2:15pm – 5:15 pm.

Eglise Saint Maurice (Church of Saint-Maurice) – Built in 1422, this national monument is an example of truly remarkable architecture. You can visit the church Tuesday through Friday or Saturday from 9am-11:30am. For more information including Mass times, visit their website.

Palais de l’Isle – First home to the Lord of Annecy and later a jail, this castle now hosts a Local History Museum. A visit provides travelers with a great understanding of the history of the region. From June – September it is open from 10:30am – 6pm for 3.80 euros per adult. For the rest of the year, it is closed on Tuesdays and is open from 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 5pm.

Famous Events

Tour de France 2013: On the 100th Anniversary of the tour, Stage 20 began in Annecy on July 20th, 2013.

Fête du Lac (Lake Festival) occurs the first weekend of August, with fireworks and many attractions.

Descente des Alpages (Return from Alpine Pastures) offers a festival on the second Saturday of October with local food, music, and entertainment highlighting the region’s strengths.

You Must Try…

Ice Cream – The traditional ice cream maker and renowned Le Glacier des Alpes has been running for more than 35 years!

Cheeses – Reblochon and Tome des Bauges

Fine Fish – Whitefish and Char

White Wine – Apremont and Dogfish

Getting to Annecy from Geneva

Train- +/- 2 hours, +/- 20 euros – It runs with a change in Aix-les-bains a number of times each day and you can plan your trip on the website: http://www.voyages-sncf.com/ (at the top right you can chose your country; if you choose “other countries” you will likely be redirected to a website in your language and currency). You can leave from Geneva’s airport or Geneva’s large central train station Cornavin. Trips from the train station vary, from 2 hours and 5 minutes to 3 hours and 30 minutes. Prices also vary.

Bus- +/- 2 hours, +/- 11euros – Direct buses are operated by the company TransDev which provides a number of options at 8 euros for a 1-2 hour trip.

Train then bus – Two +/- 40 minute trips, +/- 16 euros– You can take the bus from Geneva to La Roche-sur-Foron and then a train to Annecy using the above providers. The bus (+/- 40 minutes) is around 8 euros. The train is around 8 euros as well and the trip is 30-40 minutes. Please note that if you enter your trip into http://www.voyages-sncf.com/, the website will likely offer this option as well.